💨 Abstract

A Tennessee hospital clarified it never agreed to assist the state in deactivating a death row inmate's heart device before his scheduled execution. This revelation complicates a court order that relied on the hospital's expected participation. Byron Black's execution is pending appeals and a clemency request, with discussions ongoing about the heart device's potential impact on the lethal injection process. The hospital and state officials are at odds, with the hospital denying involvement and the state facing logistical and ethical challenges.

Courtesy: WTOP Staff